Printed Books Giveaway Hop

, by Kt Clapsadl

Printed Books Giveaway Hop
February 1st to 7th

Ebooks are becoming more and more popular but there are still many people who prefer printed books.  

This hop features only printed books (no ebooks allowed).

Enter all of the giveaways: I Am a Reader, Not a Writer


I'm giving away one book of choice from the Book Depository. (Up to $10 & Open to anywhere they ship.)



 

Kirsten Reviews: Slashback by Rob Thurman

, by Kt Clapsadl

Slashback by Rob Thurman
Cal Leandros #8

I stopped and let them circle me, first because it was intriguing and, second, because, honestly, what could they do? Only knives, but all armed, and that made them even more interesting. Interesting. Fun.

Playtime…

Taking on bloodthirsty supernatural monsters is how Caliban and Niko Leandros make a living. But years ago—before they became a force to be reckoned with—the brothers were almost victims of a very human serial killer.

Almost.

Unfortunately for them, that particular depraved killer was working as apprentice to a creature far more malevolent—the legendary Spring-heeled Jack. He’s just hit town. He hasn’t forgotten what the Leandros brothers did to his murderous protégé. He hasn’t forgotten what they owe him.

And now they are going to pay… and pay… and pay.…


‘Slashback,’ by Rob Thurman is the forthcoming (March 2013) 8th book in the successful Cal Leandros series.

The brothers Niko and Cal are good at fighting things that most people don’t believe in, and most of the time, they come out on top. But this time, they're up against somebody- something being driven by more than supernatural appetites. See, when the brothers barely survived being the targets of a human serial killer, they didn’t know that they would have to face its master.

His name?

The Spring-heeled Jack. Turns out he’s in New York, and likes to skin his victims alive. And not only do supernatural creatures have long memories, but they’re serious about getting what’s owed to them., Especially if they’re being paid in blood.

The book begins with a flashback, and 11 year-old Cal, and 15 year-old Niko dealing with the possibility that there is a serial killer living next door to them. Anybody who’s been following this series will appreciate the glimpse into the brothers’ adolescence, and the way they fend for themselves, as usual. Their mother Sophia is an absent figure that nonetheless looms large. As the story jumps back and forth from twelve years ago to the present day, it switches perspectives, Niko’s in the past, and Cal’s in the present, and the two storylines pace each other very well.

Cal’s struggles with his nature are much different when he was a kid than now, and Niko is still working out how to be the best big brother possible. Both of them try to protect one another, and there are some funny, and touching examples of them doing that, to the other’s annoyance, and their fraternal sarcasm is in full force.

Robin Goodfellow and other characters are featured large in the story, and learn of the changes in Cal, and how that ties into the larger plot is interesting to see unfold. ‘Slashback’ is a strong chapter in this series, and leaves readers with several intriguing possibilities for upcoming stories, while being pleased with the way the story concludes for the moment.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:






Pre-order:



Other Reviews:


Previous Books:
  1. Nightlife
  2. Moonshine
  3. Madhouse
  4. Deathwish
  5. Roadkill
  6. Blackout
  7. Doubletake


Who is Marcus Finch? Clue #8 & Giveaway

, by Kt Clapsadl


I absolutely adore Richelle Mead, especially her VA/Bloodlines series. So, when I was offered the opportunity to participate in a fun promo leading up to the release of The Indigo Spell. There's going to be a new character in the series, and his identity is a bit of a mystery. In fact, these were the teaser questions presented to me:

Is he competition for Adrian for Sydney’s heart?
Is he an Alchemist? An ex-Alchemist??
Is he good? Evil? A Warrior of Light?

Definitely mysterious. So, each weekday from 1/22-2/11 I'll be posting a new clue on the blog that will give us a little bit more of a hint of who exactly this Marcus Flint is. Oh, and just to put the cherry on top of this fun promo, I'll have a hardcover copy of The Indigo Spell to give away to one lucky reader. Enter via the rafflecopter at the bottom of each post, and make sure you come back each day to get your additional entries for tweeting about that day's clue!

So without further ado, here is today's clue:


Missed any of the previous clues?
  1. Clue #1
  2. Clue #2
  3. Clue #3
  4. Clue #4
  5. Clue #5 
  6. Clue #6
  7. Clue #7
Find out more about the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead:

Bloodlines Website: http://www.bloodlinesseries.com/
Bloodlines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BloodlinesBooks
Bloodlines trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMJEaT41b4
Bloodlines excerpt: http://www.scribd.com/doc/102759112/THE-INDIGO-SPELL-by-Richelle-Mead-Bloodlines-3-First-Chapter



 

Bargain Books & Kindle Deals (32)

, by Kt Clapsadl


I've decided to make my Bargain Book and Kindle Deal finds a weekly feature here at A Book Obsession.. If you guys are anything like me, your book addiction can easily get out of hand, so any sales/deals are a huge help. If you like any of the deals below, I would appreciate if you use the affiliate links below. All earning support the giveaways here on the blog. :)

(Prices accurate as of 1/30)

Bargain New Paperbacks/Hardcovers:

























Kindle Deals:
$0.99 
  $1.99


$2.24-$2.99
   
 $3.49-$3.99
   
 $4.00-$5.99
 

Waiting on Wednesday (132)

, by Kt Clapsadl

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

Soulbound - Lone Star Witch #1
by Tessa Adams
Publication Date: February 5th, 2013
Pre-Order:

 

As the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter—and a member of Ipswitch’s Royal family—Xandra Morgan should be a witch of incredible power. But things don’t always turn out like you expect…

While she hasn’t lived up to her family’s expectations, Xandra has come to terms with her latent magic and made a life for herself in Austin, Texas, running a coffee shop where she makes potions of a non-magical nature. While things aren’t perfect, Xandra is happy—until she runs into powerful warlock Declan Chumomisto.

Xandra hasn’t seen Declan in years, and though she’s still overwhelmed by his power, she doesn’t trust him. And when her own powers awaken one night and lead her to the body of a woman in the woods bearing the symbol of Isis—the same one that has marked Xandra since the day she met Declan—she’s filled with a terrible suspicion, soon confirmed: the woman is connected to him.

Xandra doesn’t want to believe that Declan is capable of murder, but as the body count mounts, and Xandra’s own powers spiral out of control, she’s not sure she can trust her own instincts…


Who is Marcus Finch? Clue #7 & Giveaway

, by Kt Clapsadl


I absolutely adore Richelle Mead, especially her VA/Bloodlines series. So, when I was offered the opportunity to participate in a fun promo leading up to the release of The Indigo Spell. There's going to be a new character in the series, and his identity is a bit of a mystery. In fact, these were the teaser questions presented to me:

Is he competition for Adrian for Sydney’s heart?
Is he an Alchemist? An ex-Alchemist??
Is he good? Evil? A Warrior of Light?

Definitely mysterious. So, each weekday from 1/22-2/11 I'll be posting a new clue on the blog that will give us a little bit more of a hint of who exactly this Marcus Flint is. Oh, and just to put the cherry on top of this fun promo, I'll have a hardcover copy of The Indigo Spell to give away to one lucky reader. Enter via the rafflecopter at the bottom of each post, and make sure you come back each day to get your additional entries for tweeting about that day's clue!

So without further ado, here is today's clue:


Missed any of the previous clues?
  1. Clue #1
  2. Clue #2
  3. Clue #3
  4. Clue #4
  5. Clue #5 
  6. Clue #6
 Find out more about the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead:

Bloodlines Website: http://www.bloodlinesseries.com/
Bloodlines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BloodlinesBooks
Bloodlines trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMJEaT41b4
Bloodlines excerpt: http://www.scribd.com/doc/102759112/THE-INDIGO-SPELL-by-Richelle-Mead-Bloodlines-3-First-Chapter



 

Early Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

, by Kt Clapsadl

Pivot Point by Kasie West
Pivot Point #1

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Just because Addie can see the outcome of any choice she makes before she actually makes it, doesn't make those decisions any easier, especially when she holds the memories from both paths. So, she's never looked more than a few days into the future. At least that was until her parents announce that they are getting a divorce and that she must decide who she wants to live with. She looks an unprecedented six weeks into the future. Each life leads a very different path, but sometimes there is no right choice as both roads can lead to love and pain. So all that's left to choose is the path she can live with. Even if it means giving up the one thing she's always wanted.

PIVOT POINT is told in a rotating chapter sequence that does take a little bit to get used to, but I think it is that rotating that really makes the book. As Addie searched her decision, we got to see those two opposing choices played out in alternation. I just really enjoyed how the two different paths intersected several times throughout PIVOT POINT. In fact, they both told the same overall story, just took two very different directions to reach the end. Each choice came with horrible consequences as this story really showed that knowing the future isn't a blessing but a curse. Getting even further into the curse aspect of Addie's ability, each time she looks into the future about opposing choices, she actually lives each choice, and then keeps those paths as memories, even the one she doesn't choose. Imagine knowing something horrible that could have been, but will never actually happen, and having to live with that "false" memory. Every choice we make can lead to very different outcomes, and all those many different lives add up over time. I can't blame Addie for limiting her searches to short amounts of time to help reduce the "clutter" in her head. Even though this side effect was terrible for Addie, it only ramped up my enjoyment of PIVOT POINT. I vastly prefer books where powers come with downsides as I just have a hard time really getting into stories where things come way to easy for the protagonist, so I'm glad that wasn't the case in this book.

I absolutely adore Addie. She's just so level headed and responsible in a society that has a serious superiority complex. While the rest of her community sees normal people as inferior, Addie just sees them as well normal. She doesn't flaunt her abilities and has a general respect for living life. She doesn't use her advanced mental abilities for everything, and while some would say she's a naturalist for this, I don't agree. She still believes that advancing her mental abilities is important, she just doesn't let her entire life become consumed by that need. I think this is why I felt the path that led into the "normal" world also held the perfect match for her. Trevor just seemed a whole lot more grounded than the alternative. Definitely swoon worthy!

I have to admit, that this book really caught me off guard. Sure, I found the blurb to be interesting, but I wasn't expecting to be quite so amazing. I have to admit that Paranormal YAs have started to blend together a bit for me lately, so it is taking a bit more to impress me. PIVOT POINT not only impressed me, but in all honesty stood a step above the rest. To make a truly astounding book, you have to have three important things, a great premise, a good execution, and a great cast of characters. As far as PIVOT POINT goes, well, it hit that trifecta and earns a resounding recommendation from me. PIVOT POINT is an incredibly impressive read that is not to be missed. An absolute must buy!

(Received a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss)

Rating:







Pre-order:



Other Reviews:
  1. Some Like it Paranormal 
  2. Finding Bliss in Books 
  3. The Readers Den

Book Birthdays: New Titles This Week (21)

, by Kt Clapsadl


I keep a Google calendar of all the books releasing each week that are on my radar. With all of the many books I am excited about it is so easy to lose track of when things come out. Since I'm already doing this research for myself, I thought you guys might like it if I shared.


Releasing 1/28-2/3
 

A Shimmer of Angels by Lisa M. Basso
Angel Sight #1

Sixteen-year-old Rayna sees angels, and has the medication and weekly therapy sessions to prove it. Now, in remission, Rayna starts fresh at a new school, lands a new job, and desperately tries for normalcy. She ignores signs that she may be slipping into the world she has tried so hard to climb out of. But these days, it’s more than just hallucinations that keep Rayna up at night. Students are dying, and she may be the only one who can stop it. Can she keep her job, her sanity, and her friends from dying at the hands of angels she can't admit to seeing?

Amazon         The Book Depository 

Asunder by Jodi Meadows
Newsoul #2

DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.



Between by Kerry Shafter
The Books of the Between #1
 

Vivian’s life is finally on track. She has a job she loves as an ER doctor and has just met – literally – the man of her dreams. But when her eccentric grandfather is murdered and designates her as his next of kin, she discovers that she is the last of a race of beings known as dreamshifters. It is her task to guard the doorways between waking and dreaming, which have already begun to unravel, spilling dangerous creatures from dream into the waking world. When she sets out to close the open doors and protect her town and the people she loves, Vivian confronts dragons, intrigue, and the dark secrets of her own family history. In the end she comes face to face with a sorceress seeking eternal life and ultimate power. Vivian must find a way to stop her, or reality will be forever altered.

Amazon         The Book Depository 

Haunted Moon by Yasmine Galenorn
Sisters of the Otherworld #13

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Delilah is a two-faced werecat and a Death Maiden. My sister Menolly is a vampire married to a werepuma. And me? I’m Camille, a wicked-good witch with three sexy husbands. I’m a priestess of the Moon Mother, and I’m training under the Queen of Darkness. Unfortunately, playing in the dark means that sometimes you stumble over secrets better left buried…

There’s a new Fae sorcerer in town—Bran, the son of Raven Mother and the Black Unicorn—and I’m the unwilling liaison between him and our new Earthside OIA. With cemeteries being ransacked and spirits being harvested by a sinister, otherworldly force, Aeval sends us to rescue the missing wife of a prominent member of the Fae nobility. Our search leads us to the mysterious Aleksais Psychic Network and, ultimately, to face the Lord of Ghosts where Morio and I must undergo a ritual that will plunge us directly into the world of the dead.
 
 



Amazon          The Book Depository  
  
  

Othermoon by Nina Berry
Otherkin #2

Everyone has secrets. I had no idea mine would lead me into shadow. Dez has found the place where she belongs. With the otherkin. With Caleb. Or so she thought. As the barriers between our world and Othersphere fall, a wall rises between Dez and Caleb, leaving her fiercest enemy her only friend.

And maybe something more.

Now Dez must make a devastating choice: keep the love of her life, or save the otherkin from annihilation.



The Prey by Andrew Fukuda
The Hunt #2

For Gene and the remaining humans—or hepers—death is just a heartbeat away. On the run and hunted by society, they must find a way to survive in The Vast... and avoid the hungry predators tracking them in the dark. But they’re not the only things following Gene. He’s haunted by the girl he left behind and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.

When they discover a refuge of exiled humans living high in the mountains, Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe. Led by a group of intensely secretive elders, the civilisation begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behaviour is the rule, harsh punishments are meted out, young men are nowhere to be found—and Gene begins to wonder if the world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind. As life at the refuge grows more perilous, he and Sissy only grow closer. In an increasingly violent world, all they have is each other... if they can only stay alive.


Amazon            The Book Depository

Prodigy by Marie Lu
Legend #2

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.



Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton
Angelfire #3

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.


Amazon           The Book Depository

Shattered Circle by Linda Robertson
Persephone Alcmedi #6

After her werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, tried to kill her, Persephone Alcmedi finds herself in the comforting arms of powerful vampire Menessos. She’s trying to sort out her feelings for the two men, but not even Seph is above the confusion of tangled emotions. All Johnny wants to do is mend their relationship and reveal the life-altering news he’s recently received, but his new responsibilities as the werewolf king take up most of his time.

Does this mean Menessos can finally make his move?

Meanwhile, unknown to Seph, her beloved foster daughter, Beverley, has been playing with a magical artifact and making dubious friends on the other side. When Beverley disappears, Seph must seek help from a supernatural being so potent that even Menessos fears him...and such aid always comes with a very steep price.


Amazon           The Book Depository

What the Spell by Brittany Geragotelis
Life's a Witch #1

A teenage witch juggles popularity and romance while keeping her powers a secret in this spellbinding debut.

Almost-sixteen-year-old Brooklyn feels invisible, but she desperately wants to be pretty, to be popular, to be adored by a cute guy. Luckily for her, she’s a witch about to come of age—so she’s only a few spells away from making it all happen.

On her milestone birthday, Brooklyn’s conservative parents finally unbind her powers, which include the ability to magically match couples with a love spell. Brooklyn uses her special skills to get a makeover, new friends, and the attention of her crush, Asher. But the popular clique Brooklyn wants to infiltrate puts her in the same precarious position as her Salem ancestors: If she’s found out, she could be vilified—and lose Asher in the process. Can she make the most of her magic, or will she be luckless and loveless? Be careful what you witch for!
 
 
 
 
 

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